Climate change in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka, an equatorial island of 65,610 square kilometres (25,330 sq mi), is a biodiversity hotspot. It has 480 bird species (25 endemic) and 121 amphibious species (88 endemic) (Lepage, D., 2018; Sri Lanka checklist, 2018). Climate change is a threat to the island's hyperdiversity, including its marine ecosystem and coastal coral reef environments. Climate variability and sea-level rise has the potential to affect the overall abundance of endemic species. It is likely that anthropogenic influences driven climate-change trends. Despite continued efforts for environmental-policy implementation at the local and global levels, greenhouse gases increased by 2.2 percent annually from 2000 to 2010 and the global sea level rose 2.8 to 3.6 millimetres (0.11 to 0.14 in) annually from 1993 to 2010 (Pachauri & Meyer 2014).

Flag map of Sri Lanka

Birds

Twenty five endemic bird species live in Sri Lanka’s wet zone, the southwestern part of the island. With 480 bird species on the island, their diversity includes (but is not limited to) waterfowl and migratory birds. Bird species of Sri Lanka are impacted by droughts, prolonged intense precipitation, sea-level rise, increased human interaction, and a lack of corridors which have led to a decline of habitat and range.

Green-billed coucal

The green-billed coucal inhabits the southwestern region of the country's wet-zone forest; its characteristics include its black-brown color, medium-large size and distinctive green beak. In 2010, the species was placed on the IUCN Red List as a vulnerable species due to woodland destruction. Green-billed coucals live in forests containing large trees, shrubs, and bushes which are subject to overexploitation and clearcutting by humans.(Bharathie 2018)

Amphibians

Sri Lanka also hosts 121 amphibian species, 88 of which are considered endemic. Severe weather can have a detrimental impact on amphibians, and prolonged droughts and periods of increased intense precipitation have resulted in a decline in amphibian diversity. Twenty-two amphibian species are endangered, and 27 are extinct (Glenn C.R. 2018; MAAS, P.H.J., 2017).

Bubble-nest frog

The bubble-nest frog is listed as endangered on the IUCN red list. Declining in population, the last count of bubble-nest frogs was estimated at 1,500. They prefer to live on the ground or on low branches near water sources in Sri Lanka's southern canopy-covered forests. The loss of habitat and mating resulting from human interaction and the over-exploitation of dense forests threatens the species (Kelum Manamendra-Arachchi, Rohan Pethiyagoda 2004). Severe weather also impacts bubble-nest frog populations due to flooding from increased precipitation, which may alter its breeding habitat and force relocation.

Coral reefs

Climate change in Sri Lanka can impact biodiversity offshore. Coral reefs provide income for ecotourism and local fisheries, and are important shore barriers and homes for diversified species. Benefits of coral reefs include ecosystem services such as water filtration and shelter and food for species. Over-fishing of coral reefs can negatively impact these communities. Sea-level rises, coral bleaching, ocean acidification and increasing carbon-dioxide levels also threaten coral-reef communities.

Solutions

To slow the process of global climate change, education and public awareness are important to reduce the overall consumption of natural resources and limit the amount of carbon dioxide we emit. Sri Lankan nonprofit organizations petition for a more sustainable environment for humans and other species. The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society's (SLWCS) main purpose is to conserve the island's dwindling biodiversity. They have completed several conservation projects, including a wetland conservation project which involved a number of habitat restoration missions. The SLWCS has seven proposed projects they hope to undertake. According to its mission statement,

Our experience over the past 12 years indicates that agriculture, fisheries and tourism related activities have a great impact on our natural resources. Over 70% of our people depend on agricultural activities for their livelihoods. The SLWCS devotes most of its effort to introducing better land use and agricultural practices so that agricultural development can be sustained over the long-term (SLWCS Mission).

Sri Lankan Wilds, another conservation group, helps maintain natural habitats and educates children about Sri Lankan biodiversity. The country has established nature parks to preserve habitats for a number of species.

The National Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (NCCAS) has developed a framework for combating climate change. Their framework includes five components which were assessed from 2011 to 2016:

  • Mainstream climate-change adaptation into national planning and development
  • Enabling climate-resilient and healthy human settlements
  • Minimizing climate-change impacts on food security
  • Improving climate resilience of key economic drivers
  • Safeguarding natural resources and biodiversity from climate-change impacts

The framework will help Sri Lanka offset potential climate changes in the near future. The NCCAS understands that halting climate change is unrealistic, and many of their goals concern economic and environmental preparation and understanding.

Climate change will probably impact Sri Lankan biodiversity through increasing temperatures and rising sea levels. Adopting environmentally-proactive practices, such as reserves and local and national government policy, will slow the impact of climate change on Sri Lanka as it searches for a long-term solution.

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